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Justice News

Correctional Officer Charged with Violating an Inmate's Civil Rights

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA– Willie L. Walker, 57, of Lynn Haven, Florida, has been arraigned in the U.S. District Court in Panama City after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with depriving an inmate at the Gulf Correctional Institution of constitutional rights. The indictment was announced by Christopher P. Canova, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The indictment alleges that, in March 2015, Walker, while acting as a correctional officer of the State of Florida, assaulted an inmate, resulting in bodily injury.

The trial is scheduled for May 15, 2017, at 8:15 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Panama City.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Corrections – Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aine Ahmed.